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Chapter 8: Juro Kurabe 2
Thanks, guys. I wouldn’t normally put my thumb on the scale like that, but this event is just the best way to introduce some stuff.
Music: In The Doldrums (Rikako Watanabe)
Story paths?
Oh jesus, oh fuck, noooooo!!!!! Nobody told me there would be branching storylines!
Well, it’s actually a lot simpler than you think it is. But we’ll address that in a bit.
Amiguchi’s gone missing again. Bet he’s at the cafeteria. Get ready to head over.
Why not?
Throughout the backdrop of this scene Miwako goes to talk to Tomi, then eventually Iori shows up to join them, then all three leave individually. We won’t really be seeing that conversation in this version of the scene because we’ll be busy chatting with Shiba, but I just felt the need to point that out in case you see them chatting in the background of my shots.
Yup.
Last week’s was a real cliffhanger. I’m dying to know what happens.
After all hell breaks loose, the main character just—
*snicker*
Whoops. This is no time to be reading comics, huh?
Consider Kyuta Shiba
(I saw Shiba-kun in a dream the other day. A pretty creepy one. Something about an android…)
Use Iori Fuyusaka on Kyuta Shiba
I noticed she always leaves during break time.
And? What about it?
I’m just wondering where she goes all the time.
Judging from what the other girls have been saying… She runs off to the nurse’s office to take a nap.
She’s sleeping…?
Poor girl has narcolepsy, geez.
What you wanna follow her to bed?
(blushing) Come on, quit it!
Use That One Video on Kyuta Shiba
I found a little something else you’ve been wanting to see. You know. That hardcore foreign movie.
Don’t make it sound so creepy. It’s just a sci-fi flick.
*passes Juro the tape* I also taped the next episode of that drama series. The one where the alien runs away to Earth.
Hmm… Is that the one where he teleports from the UFO to the bridge?
(brief surprise) Oh, you’ve seen it already?
I dunno. Maybe I did.
Consider Visitor from Another World
(So he runs away to take refuge on Earth. There’s a famous scene where he teleports onto a bridge.)
Use Shu Amiguchi on Kyuta Shiba
What if we’re annoying him?
Then let him be annoyed. I still get to play his games.
*sigh*
As someone who suspects one of my only friends in middle school only hung out with me because I had Kingdom Hearts 2… too real, anime. Too real.
Use Visitor from Another World on Kyuta Shiba
I totally forgot last week… They were airing UFO Wars on TV!
Consider UFO Wars
(Released in 1977, this was the first in a hit series from the United States. It’s a dramatic sci-fi adventure taking place in a galaxy far, far way. Its popularity holds strong no matter how much time passes.)
It’s only been eight years, Juro. Settle down. I’m sure it’s just a fad. 
Use UFO Wars on Kyuta Shiba
Want to borrow it?
Oh, I’m in luck!
The quality’s not that great, though. I recorded it in EP mode.
Geez, get your hands on some better tapes.
If we’re too slow, we’ll lose him.
All right, let’s just get Juro’s bag…
Use Mighty Kaiju Deimos on Kyuta Shiba
They’re showing it at the theater right now. Want to go see it?
I’d rather rent it on video. Then we can watch it on Amiguchi’s big TV. Cheaper, too.
Well, aren’t you a killjoy.
Let’s step out.
They’re always sold out.
I heard there’s a guy who buys shitloads of ‘em.
Ha.
Right, let’s go.
Well, crap. So much for gaming today…
Maybe they’ve seen him somewhere. I know you were eavesdropping earlier. Y’know, Kisaragi and the others. Did they mention him?
I don’t know…
Let’s just go home.
Okay, let’s go home.
Wait, that’s it!? But the percentage didn’t go up… what’s the deal?
Well, I don’t think that really counts as a full update, so let’s head back in.
…And we’re back here! What gives?
Well, the “branches” in this game function a little differently than in other visual novels. This isn’t a Zero Escape scenario, where every individual path splinters off into a new ending. Instead, when you start a character’s chapter, you’re living a “day.” Once you reach an end of a path, in our case the generic no-ending “Daily Life,” the next time you start as that character you’ll be placed back into the same scenario on a different day, with all unlocked keywords available from the start because now your character knows and is aware of more information. The keywords thing is going to be important later for unlocking more paths, but for now it doesn’t matter too much. The relevant thing is that until we’ve seen every available path, we’re going to start from this scene.
Now, Shiba actually pretty much outright told us the thing we need to do to find Amiguchi, but if you actually paid attention to the scene in the cafeteria you noticed someone we didn’t talk to, so we’re going to head back there real quick and take care of that.
Oh, also, if you try to leave without Shiba he gets upset.
Let’s use the other stairway.
The game can be kind of a pain when it makes you remember which staircase leads to the cafeteria, heh.
Well, crap. So much for gaming today…
Let’s go talk to this familiar-looking student over here.
Oh, Juro-kun!
Hi, Minami-san.
What’s up?
Well, uh… You know. About that guy…
Stay over?
About that, um…
If you could let him stay a bit longer, I’d appreciate it. You’re the best!
I’ve gotta go. Let’s talk later, okay?
Nice dodge.
Minami-san, my neighbor. My grandma’s pretty close with her family.
You’re lookin’ pretty close yourself.
Consider Issues at Home
(Ever since that day… My life’s been turned upside down.)
Dinner’s almost ready.
I’m sorry, what the hell are you doing here?
Could you get the chopsticks?
Uhhh, sure?
Consider Chopsticks for Two
(She probably didn’t realize it, but… These are matching chopsticks. Like… for a married couple.
Use Chopsticks for Two on Dinner Table
I need to come up with a way to kick her out.
It’s because you stay up late watching movies every night. You need to get to bed early.
Besides, I can’t fall asleep even if I wanted to.
Oh? Why not?
Me…?
We really shouldn’t be living together like this.
Are you afraid of someone finding out?
Well, that’s… part of it… Anyway, I want you out of here by next month.
You’re pretty insensitive, Juro.
Music: Forty Winks (Rikako Watanabe)
We’re neighbors! Think I don’t know my way around the place? Anyway, I’ve got a favor to ask…
I didn’t know you cooked!
So, uh, what’s this favor you need?
Do you need something from him?
Look at Natsuno’s face here, it rules. She’s having none of it.
This is just… you know…
Oh! Come on in.
Pardon my interruption.
Who are you?
So, um… It’s kinda complicated, but yeah. I need you to let him stay over for a few days.
What?
How do you know Minami-san?
Just let him stay until your granny’s back.
I won’t tell anyone you’re living with a girl.
Blackmail!
The details don’t matter. Just let him stay, all right?
I know Natsuno-san’s intentions are good, but…
……
Why don’t you join us for dinner?
……
Things just keep getting weirder and weirder…
Wah waaaaaaaaaaah
And so concludes this chapter of Juro’s story. But what should we try next?
Our choices for now are:
Juro Kurabe (22% completion)
Ei Sekigahara (14%)
Iori Fuyusaka (14%)
Megumi Yakushiji (14%)
Natsuno Minami (12%)
Destruction (18%)
There's also:
Takatoshi Hijiyama (14%, locked behind Ogata)
Shu Amiguchi (14%, locked behind Destruction)
The poll is here.